I am an admirer of Kim Diehl and her designs–geometric, creative, small scale, lots of pieces.
But, sometimes I want to make a big quilt, and most of her designs are mini or small quilts. I get it. That is a lot of pieces.
But, I am making a Big Diehl. The Windspinner pattern it is based on is in the book Simple Whatnots III, which contains several others that are on my “someday” list.
Why Big Diehl? Because I plan to make the block 25 times, using the suggested border as sashing to join them. I have four ...
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There were 2 bins of batik scraps on my tables in the basement. I decided to go through and divide them by 'keep' and 'don't want'.
I think there might be a third box down there too and I'll look for that today.
This is a top view of the two boxes. I need to use my yardage and stop using scraps that I don't care for.
All of the pieces had been pressed at one time so this is pretty much stacked flat pieces, not crumpled up and wrinkled so there is a lot in these ...
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This quilt started out as a leader-ender in March 2022. You can read more about the process HERE.
In spite of the challenges, particularly it not being as large as I thought it would be, I am happy with the outcome.
It used so many scraps! And is that lovely mix of traditional and contemporary that I seem to lean towards.
Total pieces: 3456. Yardage (cut sizes) in top: 7-1/4 yards (more or less). Scraps are eternal, but they do add up fast. The top finished at 64″ x 72″. The small squares start at 1-1/2″.
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| My 1st Pickle Dish Block! |
Before the month ends I will sew up the remaining 3 red ...
read moreScrap Tape is a non-woven wash away interfacing. Have you ever heard of sewing to receipt tape or phone book pages as a foundation for sewing with scraps? Well, Scrap Tape does the same thing BUT, you don't have to take it off before using your scrap piece in your project. This is the part that really appeals to me! I hate ripping paper off the back of pieced fabric units/blocks! It's so time-consuming and messy!
Scrap Tape is currently available in three sizes:
2.5" by 25 yards Scrap Tape ...
read moreI finished the top for the Green Scrap Quilt and am very pleased with how it came out. I ended up making a dozen blocks and will add a single-fabric border to "frame" everything. I will post a picture when I get the borders on.
An additional benefit of the January RSC is that my greens bin is now very nicely sorted and folded. If I can get that done with every month's color that will be wonderful.
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| ...became log cabin blocks |
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| Lots of red 1" strips... |
I ...
read moreThe pattern is free and the mini charm squares are abundant at my house.
It seemed a perfect combination!
In this version, the colored squares are all from the grunge collection by Moda. But just about anything would work and look great.
If mini doesn’t appeal to you, the pattern is available in three different sizes and you can use that layer cake or 5″ charm pack that’s been talking to you. Enjoy!
PS–Yes, my hand quilting is badly out of practice. A mini was a good warmup. Don’t look too close…
read moreThis is becoming a go-to pattern for baby quilts. (It just occurred to me that it could be done with two charm packs. I may have to try that soon.)
I found the yellow floral print during my cleaning just before the new year. There was only a little, but it seemed a shame to throw it away.
I love the bright and happy results.
The plan is to donate it to the local children’s hospital. Ta-dah!
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I have been working on my green scrap quilt from the kits I made up for 12 blocks. I finished 3 blocks and have the triangle bits done for another 3. They are a bit tedious, but are coming out pretty. 
kits for 12 blocks
I decided for the RSC to make 6 log-cabin blocks from my 1" strip collection in each month's color. I finished the green/January blocks this morning.
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| Green log cabin blocks |
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| 20 assorted greens |
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| One block done! |
The 100 Mad Dash blocks are finally assembled. Now, sashing. I am adding mostly white sashing to 50 of them, and mostly black sashing to the other 50.
Things are starting to shape up…
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- I finished the assembly of the last section on my blue Irish chain quilt and washed the backing fabric. I need to find batting and then baste the sections for quilting.
- I did the applique on the 2nd block in my Jacobean quilt and finished the tracing for the 3rd block. I need to prep the applique pieces and then I can get back to doing the hand applique. It is a nice project to do during my breaks at the office.
- I started a new project this week -- a scrappy green ...